Glossary of Infertility Terms

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Adhesions - Scar tissue that forms at the site of a surgery.

AID - Artificial insemination using donor sperm.

Amenorrhea - The lack of a menstrual period for at least six months.

Androgens - Hormones responsible for male sex characteristics. Present in the male and female.

Anovulation - Ovulation does not occur.

Antisperm Antibodies - Antibodies to the male's sperm produced by the female or male partner. These antibodies can lead to destruction of the sperm and failed fertilization.

Assisted hatching - Microsurgery can also help the embryo to release itself from its surrounding shell (zona pellucida). This is called "hatching" and helps the embryo implant itself in the uterus when the female partner is 39 years or older. Assisted hatching also is used when a woman has an elevated basal FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) level which means diminished egg production, or has several failed cycles of IVF.

Artificial insemination - Placement of specially washed sperm inside the female reproductive tract.

Aspiration techniques - Techniques used to remove sperm from the male reproductive tract. Aspiration also refers to the removal of the egg from the follicle in an assisted reproductive procedure such as IVF, GIFT, or ZIFT.

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) - Procedures used to assist in achieving pregnancy. Includes procedures such as IVF, GIFT, ZIFT and IUI. Medication is often used to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs for increased chances of fertilization.

Asthenozoospermia - Reduced sperm motility.

Azoospermia - The lack of sperm.

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Basal Body Temperature - Sometimes used to help document and predict ovulation. More accurate measurements are available. The basal body temperature is taken orally in the morning prior to arising.

Beta HCG - A hormone that is measured to determine if pregnancy has occurred.

Bromocriptine - A drug used to treat elevated prolactin levels. High prolactin levels are usually caused by a benign tumor of the pituitary. Treatment is highly successful.

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CAP - The College of American Pathologists is an agency that certifies Clinical Laboratories, in compliance with the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA 88).

Catheter - A thin, flexible, hollow tube used in intrauterine insemination to place the sperm inside the uterus.

Cauterize - Tissue is "burned" to remove unwanted tissue.

Chromosome - A unit composed of DNA that is responsible for all the characteristics of a person. The human has 46 chromosomes.

Cervical factor infertility - Infertility in a woman that is caused by cervical mucus abnormalities or abnormal structure of the cervix.

Cervix - The narrow lower or outer end of the uterus where it opens into the vagina.

Clomid - A prescription medication taken orally to stimulate ovulation.

Coitus - Intercourse

Conception - Implantation of embryo into the uterine lining, which is confirmed by a positive pregnancy test.

Cryopreservation - The process of freezing embryos, sperm or oocytes (eggs). Cryopreservation of embryos allows couples to undergo subsequent IVF cycles without ovulatory stimulation drugs, thus greatly reducing cost.

Cycle - Refers to the menstrual cycle. Certain medications are given, and some tests/procedures are done based upon the ovulation cycle.

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Donor eggs - Eggs that are removed from one woman, fertilized and then placed in another woman to produce pregnancy. Either an anonymous (unknown) donor or non-anonymous (known) donor may be used.

Donor sperm - Sperm from a man who is not a woman's partner to produce pregnancy.

Dysmenorrhea - Painful menstruation.

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Ectopic pregnancy - A pregnancy that occurs in a woman's body someplace other than the uterus, such as the fallopian tube.

Egg retrieval - Refers to removing the egg from the follicle, as in an IVF procedure.

Epididymis - The tubelike structure that collects and transports sperm from the testicle to the vas deferens.

Electroejaculation - Ejaculation by means of electric stimulus to obtain a semen specimen. Used when a man has had a spinal cord injury or has an ejaculation disorder.

Embryo - The name given to a developing fertilized egg until eight weeks of gestation.

Embryo donation - The donation of remaining cryopreserved embryos to an infertile couple, by a couple whose family is complete.

Endometrial biopsy - The removal of a small piece of the endometrium to determine if the female's endometrium is developing properly for implantation of the egg.

Endometriosis - The presence of endometrial tissue (tissue that normally lines the uterus) in abnormal locations such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes and abdominal cavity. Endometriosis commonly causes infertility.

Endometrium - The inner lining of the uterus where the embryo implants.

Estradiol - A female hormone that is secreted by the growing follicle, a type of estrogen or E2. It stimulates the uterine lining to thicken during the first half of the menstrual cycle. This hormone is often measured to access a female's response to ovulation-inducing medications (Follistem™, Repronex™ or Gonal-F™).

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Fallopian tube - A pair of organs attached to the uterus. The egg travels from the ovary to the uterus through narrow passageways in the middle of these tubes. Blockage of the fallopian tubes commonly causes infertility.

Fertilization - Union of an egg with a sperm.

Follistim™ - A drug used to stimulate the ovaries in an ART cycle. A member of a new class of pure "recombinant" follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) drugs.

Fibroid - A noncancerous tumor.

Follicles - Small, round structures just under the surface of the ovary. A follicle consists of the egg and the surrounding layer of cells and fluid and grows during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. At ovulation the mature follicle ruptures, releasing the egg.

Follicular fluid - The fluid surrounding the egg inside the follicle.

Follicular phase - Time in the ovulatory cycle when the follicle develops and the endometrium thickens.

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Gametes - Sperm and eggs, cells of reproduction.

Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) - A method of assisted reproduction that involves surgically removing an egg from the woman's ovary, combining it with sperm, and immediately injecting the egg and sperm into the fallopian tube. Fertilization takes place inside the fallopian tube. This procedure results in similar pregnancy rates to IVF, but is more invasive and costly. GIFT is no longer commonly employed by most infertility specialists.

Germinal vesicle - Refers to an immature egg.

Gonad - Another name for the gamete producing organs, the ovaries or the testes.

Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GNRH) - A hormone secreted by the hypothalamus (a gland) that prompts the pituitary gland to release follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) into the bloodstream.

Gonal-F™ - A drug used to stimulate the ovaries in an ART cycle. A member of a new class of pure "recombinant" follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) drugs.

GNRH analogue - Synthetic hormones similar to GNRH. Leuprolide (Lupron™) is a GNRH analogue. Drugs such as Lupron are used to "regulate" a women's cycle for the proper timing of ART procedures, allowing the egg to be released at the appropriate time for fertilization.

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Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) - A hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy that is often used to treat ovulation problems. HCG acts similarly to LH, causing egg maturation and ovulation to occur. The brand names are Profasi and Pregnyl.

Hyperprolactenemia - A condition in which prolactin levels are elevated.

Hypothalamus - The endocrine gland which stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) - A radiologic procedure where contrast media is injected into the uterus and fallopian tubes. It determines if the uterus is normal and tubes are open, thus allowing the egg to pass.

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Implantation - The process by which the embryo "implants" in the endometrial lining of the uterus.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) - A method of assisted reproduction that involves removing eggs from a woman's ovary, combining the egg with sperm in a dish and placing two to four of the resulting embryos in the woman's uterus.

Infertility - Inability of a women under 35 years of age to achieve pregnancy after one year of unprotected intercourse. Women over 35 years of age are considered infertile if they do not achieve a pregnancy after six months of unprotected intercourse. Males are considered infertile if they do not produce enough viable sperm to fertilize an egg.

Insemination - The process of placing sperm into a woman's reproductive tract to produce a pregnancy. Often referred to as Intrauterine Insemination and usually involves the use of a drug to stimulate ovulation.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) - A microsurgical procedure done in the laboratory that involves injecting a sperm directly into the egg to achieve fertilization. It is used commonly in the treatment of male factor infertility.

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Laparoscope - A surgical instrument that allows examination of organs through a small incision.

Laparoscopy - Surgery through the laparoscope. Used to examine the female's internal reproductive organs and to perform numerous other surgical procedures on the reproductive organs.

Luteinizing hormone - A hormone believed to play a role in the maturation and release of the mature egg.

Luteal phase - The phase in a woman's menstrual cycle after ovulation. The uterine lining thickens and becomes secretory during this phase, in preparation for implantation of the embryo.

Lysis - Dissolution or disintegration of cells. Usually refers to the removal of endometriosis through the laparoscope using a laser.

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Male factor infertility - infertility caused by semen or sperm abnormalities. This includes the production of insufficient numbers of sperm, or sperm with aberrant morphological characteristics.

Male reproductive tract - Includes the testicles, epididymis, and vas deferens, and allows production and transport of sperm out of a man's body.

Meiosis - The cell division which occurs in reproductive cells. This process allows transmittal of half of the genetic material from each parent.

Menopause - The period of natural cessation of menstruation, usually occurring around age 50.

Micromanipulation - Procedures that involve microsurgery on gametes or embryos. Micromanipulation is used to assist sperm in fertilizing the egg or to assist the embryo in leaving the zona pellucida, the coating that surrounds the embryo. A cell of an embryo can be removed for genetic analysis using micromanipulation.

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Oligomenorrhea - Infrequent menses.

Oocyte - Female sex cell, also called egg or ovum.

Oocyte cryostorage - Oocytes or eggs also may be frozen prior to procedures which may render the female temporarily or permanently sterile.  Oocyte cryopreservation is at present a less successful procedure than sperm or embryo cryopreservation.  It is only used for unmarried females who have not yet selected a male partner.  On average, 9 of 10 embryos survive freezing and thawing, but only half (5 of 10) of oocytes survive this process.

Ovulation - The expulsion of a ripened egg from its follicle in the outer layer of the ovary. It usually occurs on approximately day 14 of a usual 28-day cycle.

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Parlodel™ - The brand name for bromocriptine.

Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA) - An aspiration technique that removes sperm from the male reproductive tract (epididymis).

Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) - A condition in which the female experiences menopause before the usual median age. Diagnosed by the measurement of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). If pregnancy is desired, donor egg is the recommended treatment.

Pituitary gland - The endocrine gland which secretes FSH.

Polycystic ovarian disease (PCO) - A disease characterized by high levels of androgen and the lack of ovulation in the female.

Postcoital test - A test where the sperm is evaluated after exposure to the female's cervical mucus. Is used to verify that the sperm are not incapacitated by the female's mucus.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis - Using micromanipulation, one or two embryo cells can be removed at an early stage.  The cells can be analyzed for gender and some genetic diseases.  Genetic testing is done within 24 hours, and if the embryo is normal, it is transferred to the uterus at the usual time.

Progesterone - A female hormone responsible for the successful support of a pregnancy. It is usually administered after the embryo transfer in an ART cycle.

Prolactin - A hormone produced by the female. Elevated prolactin levels are usually caused by a benign tumor and can be a cause of infertility.

Prostate gland - A gland found in the male that produces the fluid and nutrients for transport of sperm out of the body.

Protocol - Refers to the exact treatment and drug dosage regimen used in an ART procedure.

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Round spermatid injection - Immature sperm are removed from testicular tissue (obtained by testicular biopsy) and injected into the egg (by ICSI). Procedure is used when no mature sperm are found in the ejaculate, in the epididymal aspirate or in a testicular biopsy.

Repronex™ - A drug derived from the urine of postmenopausal women that is used to stimulate the ovaries in an ART cycle.

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Salpingectomy - Surgical removal of the fallopian tubes.

Semen - The sperm and glandular fluid that comes out of the urethra when a man ejaculates.

Semen analysis - Examination of a male's semen for sperm count, motility and shape.

Semen cryostorage - Sperm may be frozen prior to procedures, such as chemotherapy or radiation, which may render the male temporarily or permanently sterile.   Even semen with very low sperm counts and/or motility may be used later with IVF and ICSI to obtain a normal pregnancy.

Sperm function - The capability of sperm to penetrate and fertilize the egg.

Sperm motility - The percentage of all moving sperm in a semen sample. Fifty percent or more should be moving rapidly.

Sterility - Inability of male or female partner to reproduce due to the absence of normally functioning sperm, eggs or embryos, or due to the uterus being incapable of sustaining pregnancy.

Surrogate - The implantation of a couple's embryo into another female - used in cases where the uterus is absent or another medical complication prevents the female partner from carrying the pregnancy.

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Testicles - The male reproductive organs that produce sperm and the male hormone testosterone. Sperm normally mature in the testicle before being released into the ejaculate.

Testicular biopsy or Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE) - A small amount of tissue is removed from the testicle to determine if sperm are being formed in normal numbers.  If sperm are present, they can be used for IVF-ICSI to produce a pregnancy.

Testosterone - The male hormone responsible for male sexual characteristics and sperm production.

Thyroid gland - A gland at the base of the neck which regulates metabolism.

Transvaginal - Through the vagina, such as a transvaginal ultrasound that shows the ovary through the vagina.

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Ultrasound - High-frequency sound waves that produce a picture image of internal organs on a screen.

Unexplained infertility - Infertility in which no cause has been identified after completion of a medical evaluation.

Urologist - A physician who specializes in the treatment of the male urinary and reproductive systems.

Uterine embryo transfer - Part of the IVF process when the embryos are placed through the woman's cervix into the uterus.

Uterine fibroid - Benign tumor of the uterus that may need to be removed if located inside the uterine cavity.

Uterine polyp - Benign tumor of the uterus that bleeds easily and may need to be removed.

Uterus - The hollow, muscular female organ in the pelvis in which the fetus develops during pregnancy.

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Vas deferens - A pair of tubelike structures that transports sperm from the epididymis to the urethra.

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Zona pellucida - A shell-like glycoprotein coating that surrounds the embryo. The embryo must leave the zona (called hatching) to implant in the uterine lining. Pregnancy cannot occur unless the embryo hatches from the zona pellucida.

Zygote - Fertilized 1-cell embryo.

Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) - A method of assisted reproduction that involves surgically removing an egg from the woman's ovary, combining it with sperm in a dish and, if fertilized, replacing the resulting zygote in the woman's fallopian tube. ZIFT results in similar pregnancy rates to IVF, but is more invasive and costly.